Idaho News & Current Events | Public News Service

A six month experiment will take place at the Idaho National Laboratory to test a new type of nuclear reactor. (MichaelVi/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, June 8, 2023

ID Experiment Prompts Concerns of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation

An experimental nuclear technology project slated for testing in Idaho is raising concerns about the potential for nuclear weapons proliferation…

The Snake River plain, which will receive restoration funds from BLM, is home to diverse landscapes.(Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

ID Projects Among Those Selected for Landscape Restoration Funds

The federal government is investing $161 million into restoration projects across the West. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has selected 21 …

In 2017, Delaware became the second state to adopt the Idaho Stop, 35 years after the Gem State did so. (skilas/Adobe Stock)

Idaho Stop Law for Cyclists Rolls Across U.S.

The "Idaho Stop" measure for bicyclists is spreading to other states. Minnesota is the latest to adopt the so-called Idaho Stop, in which cyclists …

In 2004, a couple from Priest Lake, Idaho, attempted to build a house but were stopped because of nearby protected wetlands. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Idaho Case Unravels Federal Wetlands Protections

A U.S. Supreme Court case that began in Idaho has weakened protections across the nation under the Clean Water Act. The justices on Thursday handed …

Ideal Option's mobile clinic for substance abuse treatment is operating in the small eastern Idaho town of Rexburg. (Ideal Option)

Mobile Clinic Aids in Addiction Treatment in Rural ID

A mobile clinic is bringing drug treatment to rural Idaho. The organization Ideal Option's first treatment clinic on wheels is in Rexburg. Ideal …

Pollution flows from mines in Canada's Elk River Valley to the Kootenai River, which runs through Montana and Idaho. (JOAN/Adobe Stock)

Canadian Coal Mine Pollution Threatens North ID River

Pollution from Canadian mines is endangering one of Idaho's largest rivers. Selenium and other pollutants from coal mines across the northern …

A lack of social connections can increase the risk of premature death by more than 60%. (DREIDREIEINS Foto/Adobe Stock)

Mental, Heart Health Could Be Directly Connected

It's mental health awareness month and mental well-being is connected to a person's overall health, including heart health. Dr. Jennifer Shalz is …

In a new report, Georgetown defined a good paying job as one with a median income of $57,000 at age 30. (Fabio/Adobe Stock)

Report: Variety of Ways for Young People to Get Good Paying Jobs

A new report explored the pathways young people can take to land good-paying jobs, and a popular program in Idaho is helping young people with the …

About 28% of Idahoans volunteered with organizations in 2021, according to AmeriCorps. (Nicholas F-peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

ID Nominees Sought for Prestigious Volunteering Award

The nomination process is open for older Idahoans who have volunteered their time to help improve their communities. The Andrus Award for Community …

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May since 1949. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Awareness Month: Combating Stigma in the Workplace

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and stigma can be a barrier to talking about this issue, especially in the workplace. Beth Markley is the …

Potato farming practices have not changed much in many decades. (John Finnell)

ID Farm Pioneers Regenerative Ag Practices for Potato Growing

A farm in Idaho is pioneering a new way to grow the state's most famous crop: potatoes. The pioneering method is being demonstrated on Ladd Wahlen's …

One in seven children in the U.S. has experienced abuse or neglect in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ID Groups Plan 'Child Abuse Prevention Month' Activities

Child abuse happens to all children to varying degrees, according to experts, and during Child Abuse Prevention Month, several organizations in Idaho …

The Idaho law banning gender affirming care for youth goes into effect in 2024. (Mark Bradbury/Adobe Stock)

ID Anti-Trans Laws Tied to Anti-Democracy Movement, Group Says

Idaho lawmakers passed several measures this session that target transgender people. One group says this effort is connected to a wider movement to …

Advocates for homeless pets say the best place for these animals is in a home with loving owners. (eight8/Adobe Stock)

Preventing Animal Cruelty Could Mean Helping People Find Resources

April is Animal Cruelty Prevention Month and some of the reasons pets suffer do not necessarily look like what many imagine. Nadia Novik, chief …

Idaho is surrounded by states where abortion is legal, including Montana, Oregon and Washington. (trac1/Adobe Stock)

ID Criminalizes Helping Minors Travel Out-of-State for Abortions

Idaho is the first state in the nation to criminalize the act of helping people younger than age 18 get an abortion in another state. House Bill 242…

Idaho's unique habitats are under threat because native plant species aren't adapted for the frequent, intense wildfires becoming common in the state. (BLM)

As Fires Damage ID Plants, Report Finds Native Seed Supply Insufficient

A new report finds the country's supply of native seeds is falling behind the needs of current and future restoration projects. Researchers with …

The increase in voter registration for Idaho youths ages 18 to 24 between 2018 and 2022 was one of the highest in the country. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Idaho Lawsuit Challenges Ban on Student IDs for Voting

Idaho students are not letting their right to vote with a school ID go down without a fight. Earlier this month, state lawmakers passed legislation …

The Idaho National Laboratory is located near Idaho Falls. (MichaelVi/Adobe Stock)

Comment Period Open for Experimental Nuclear Tech in Eastern ID

The U.S. Department of Energy has opened a short public-comment window on an experimental nuclear technology in Idaho. The agency has released a …

In 2020, 35% of Idaho mothers had Medicaid at the time of their child's birth. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

ID Lawmakers Fail to Address Health Concerns for Pregnant Women

With concerning trends emerging for pregnant and postpartum women, frustration is growing that Idaho lawmakers could end the session without …

The Silicon Valley Bank is effectively under the control of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation after the bank's failure. (JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

After Banks' Failures, Credit Unions Tout Independent Structure

The collapse of two banks has put the U.S. financial sector into focus this week. Some are considering the alternative structures of institutions …

Stable and secure relationships with parents are among the building blocks for positive experiences among children. (Afshar Tetyana/Adobe Stock)

ID Conference Spotlights Importance of Positive Moments for Children

This year's Strengthening Families Training Institute in Boise is highlighting the importance of positive experiences for children. Dr. Robert Sege…

Idaho's broadband delivery is patchy, in part because of its unique geography. (hansenn/Adobe Stock)

Initiative Seeks to 'Link Up Idaho' to Fast Internet

A stable internet connection is key in today's world and Idaho wants to ensure everyone has reliable access. The state's Link Up Idaho initiative is …

Alaska is one of two states using ranked-choice voting, including for its 2022 U.S. Senate race. (trongnguyen/Adobe Stock)

ID Bill Bans Ranked-Choice Voting, While AK Voters Like It

A bill in the Idaho Legislature would ban the use of ranked choice voting in all Idaho election, but experiences from Alaska show perhaps lawmakers …

Reclaim Idaho led a campaign to place Medicaid expansion on the ballot in 2018 - a measure that ultimately passed. (Kencf0618/Wikimedia Commons)

Ballot Measures Face Tougher Road to Qualification Under ID Resolution

Idaho lawmakers are attempting to change the ballot initiative process again - this time with an amendment to the state Constitution. Senate Joint …

More states are implementing financial literacy courses in high school. (BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock)

ID Bill Fills Financial Education Hole for High School Students

Learning how to manage your finances is an important skill, but one educators believe many young people lack. A bill in the Idaho Legislature would …

The USCAP funded a riparian revegetation project along the East Fork of the Salmon River at White Clouds Preserve. (Idaho Conservation League)

Mining Co., ID Conservation Group Partner to Fund Salmon Restoration

A cobalt mining company and conservation group are teaming up in Idaho for the third year in a row to fund projects that restore fish habitat near the…

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program has nine sites in the Treasure Valley alone, and others across Idaho. (Paolese/Adobe Stock)

Free Tax-Aide Program 'Goes Live' Across ID

Tax time is here again. Between now and mid-April, Idahoans in need of assistance can find free help across the state through the AARP Foundation's …

About 31% of Idahoans have earned a bachelor's or associate degree. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

Report: ID Makes Big Jump in Higher-Education Attainment

Idaho and the rest of the country are making progress getting higher education to more people. A new report from Lumina Foundation finds nearly 54% …

DTPlays, an electric cargo bike that carried outdoor games, a shade tent and water around downtown Boise in 2022, received a Community Challenge grant. (AARP Idaho)

Grant Program to Improve Communities Open for Applications

A grant program that helps with projects that benefit local communities is back. The AARP Community Challenge program selects projects for small…

Albertsons was founded in Boise, Idaho, in 1939. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

ID-Based Albertsons Merger with Kroger Could Impact Rural U.S.

The proposed merger between the Idaho-based grocery chain Albertsons and Kroger has antitrust laws in the spotlight, as the supermarket companies are …

Gov. Brad Little made his first State of the State address since being re-elected in November. (Idaho Public Television)

Little's State of the State Address Emphasizes Education Spending in ID

Governor Brad Little kicked off the 2023 legislative session with his State of the State address and an Idaho teachers' organization is applauding his…

Rural Camas County in southern Idaho saw its population grow more than 4.5% between 2020 and 2021. (Lee O'Dell/Adobe Stock)

ID Partnership Supports State's Numerous Rural Communities

The Idaho Rural Partnership is among the state rural development councils still active more than 30 years after the program supporting the councils wa…

Online harassment has effects on the mental health of targets of the abuse. (ryanking999/Adobe Stock)

Protecting Kids from Online Harassment, Bigotry

It can be challenging for parents and caregivers to shield their children from bigotry and hatred online, but there are a few tips they can follow…

According to Solar Power World, Idaho and Texas do not have <a href=

mandatory state-wide net metering, but some utilities within the state offer compensation. (Adobe Stock)">

Idaho's PUC Approves Controversial Solar Study

A recent move by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission could mean solar panel owners in the state could receive less money from Idaho Power. The …

Idaho Power serves more than 600,000 customers and has committed to including more renewables in its grid over the next two decades. (energy.gov)

ID Clean Energy Advocates to Gather at State Capitol

Clean energy advocates are heading to Boise at the start of next year's legislative session. The organization Idaho Energy Freedom formed in …

Groups have been organizing in support of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons since it went into effect in 2021. (Jon Sadle)

ID Group to Mark Anniversary of Total Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty

Organizations across the country will be celebrating the anniversary of a nuclear weapons treaty in the new year, including in Idaho. The Treaty on …

The Idaho State Tax Commission expects to send about 800,000 tax rebate checks out by March 2023. (STOATPHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Tax Rebate Proposal Aims to Fend Off Inflation Impacts on ID Families

A tax rebate program approved during the Idaho special session this year has sparked an idea: why not send more rebates to families? In September…

Clinical preceptors help give apprentices hands-on education, even away from North Idaho College. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Medical Apprenticeship Program Fills Health Worker Gaps in ID

It's tough to find workers for Idaho's health clinics right now, but an apprenticeship program is hoping to address these woes. Nearly three years …

Around 35% of people have experienced holiday-related fraud from an online ad, according to a recent survey. (troyanphoto/Adobe Stock)

Consumer Tips for Guarding Against Holiday Grinches

The holiday shopping season is officially here, and that also means scammers are out in force. A new survey from AARP finds fraud is common this time …

Construction of the Little Goose Dam in eastern Washington began in 1963 and was completed in 1970. (Brigida I. Sanchez/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

With Leak Report, Snake River Dams Could Be Showing Their Age

Four dams on the lower Snake River have been the sites of contention in the Northwest, and a recent report of an oil spill at one of the dams could …

Online scams can be reported to agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, as well as to local law enforcement. (diy13/Adobe Stock)

Charity Scammers Take Advantage of Holiday Giving

The season of giving is upon us, but consumer advocates are urging people to stay vigilant, so it doesn't become the "season of taking." The number …

The Silver Creek Preserve is located about 30 miles south of Ketchum, Ida. (Neil Crescenti/The Nature Conservancy)

First Ever 'Trout-Safe' Certification Awarded to ID Farm

A farm in Idaho has received the first-ever "trout-safe" certification from an organization that protects habitat for the fish. The Nature …

Recent research has found having a lot of positive childhood experiences, even if kids also experience trauma, can greatly improve mental health. (dimmas72/Adobe Stock)

ID Pediatricians Ask About Parents' Childhoods to Improve Their Kids' Lives

Pediatricians in Idaho are exploring a novel approach to mental health - by asking parents about their past traumas and positive experiences. Dr…

The opossums of North America have a short lifespan - only about a year and a half. (cherwoman730/Adobe Stock)

Opossums: Popular Meme, Misunderstood Marsupial

The opossum has become a popular part of the internet, with memes dedicated to the funny-looking animal across the web. In the wild, an Idaho …

The Stibnite mine project is located in portions of the Payette and Boise national forests. (Ecoflight)

Conservation Groups Wary of Central ID Mine Proposal

A proposed mining operation in central Idaho is raising concerns about possible damage to nearby fish and wildlife habitat. The U.S. Forest Service …

A program that helps older folks find work connects people with a host agency for about 20 hours a week of paid job training. (hedgehog94/Adobe Stock)

Job Training for Older Folks Gets Boost from High Employment

A program that helps low-income older people find work may be getting a boost from an economy that's favoring employees. Easterseals-Goodwill's …

Working headlights are an important component of safe driving when it's snowing. (mario beauregard/Adobe Stock)

Snow It All: Safe Driving Tips for Winter in ID

Winter is coming, and that means slippery road conditions are around the bend. In Idaho, a program is offering tips on how people can drive safely …

Idaho Power's resource plans show reduced emissions through about 2030 but then no change through 2040. (Sierra Club Idaho Chapter)

Report: Fossil Fuels Still Undergird Utilities' Future Plans

Despite their climate pledges, many utilities aren't moving away from fossil fuels very quickly, according to a new report. The Sierra Club …

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